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Whether he is engraving inspired quotations onto the gleaming walls of a state capital, carving exquisite objects from marble for private gardens, or restoring historical statues that have succumbed to the forces of time, master stone carver Marcel Mächler’s craft requires patience and precision. “The physical intensity of carving stone is a real workout and the need to remain continually focused as the work proceeds is true mental exercise. No matter what your emotional state, you have to be totally present with the stone and the tools.” In an era when the traditional trades of maker-culture are fading, artist-craftsmen like Mächler seek to maintain a lived connection with the past. “Stone carving is perhaps the oldest of the arts. When I am working on a project I often think about all of the people who have come before me. Each of them had this special connection with stone.” The relationship of a stone carver to his materials is one of deep devotion.

The City of Greenville’s Senior Economic Development Project Manager, Tracy Ramseur, realized that there was a need to update a plaza at the busy intersection of Main and Augusta Streets. This plaza not only was a place for relaxation and outdoor dining, but it also served as a gateway between Main Street’s shopping and Falls Park, the city’s crown jewel.

While Mike Hansel’s early works were likely to appear in museums and galleries, today his large-scale outdoor metal sculptures increasingly populate public—and decidedly accessible—sites. “People will say, ‘Wow! What’s that made of?’ or ‘How’d you get that to bend that way?’ and come up to touch them,” says the Rhode Island-based artist. “I like to listen, anonymously, to the comments people make. It’s a great way to hear honest appraisals of the work.”

New cities, new mediums, new techniques — now a reality for artists, architects, designers, and marketing agencies

The creative professionals we work with keep pushing boundaries – taking their artwork in new directions. The only problem is that this often means a lack of connections to the industry professionals needed to get the job done. CODAworx is happy to make those connections for you. Let us be your matchmaker, with our new CODAworx Fabricator Referral Service.